The Blending of Cultures: UAE-Kerala Marriages

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Indian state of Kerala have a unique cultural and economic bond. A large population of Keralites live and work in the UAE, forming one of the biggest expat communities in the Gulf country. This has also led to many cross-cultural UAE Kerala Matrimony over the years. These intercultural unions bring together the best of both worlds, creating a harmonious blend of Emirati and Keralite traditions.

One key factor that enables the success of UAE-Kerala marriages is the religious tolerance and openness to interfaith unions in both societies. Islam is the main religion in the UAE while Kerala has a sizable Muslim population along with Hindus and Christians. Families on both sides slowly open up to accepting the intercultural union, especially when they see efforts from the couple to integrate respectfully into each other's cultural practices.

Food and cuisine form an important bridge in UAE-Kerala families. Typical Kerala delicacies like sadhya meals or fish curries find their way to the dining tables. Likewise, Emirati preparations like harees, machboos, and luqaimat become new additions to the family recipes. Food becomes the main way to fuse the two distinct food cultures.

The wedding ceremony itself beautifully blends traditions from both sides. A Muslim ceremony is held along with some Hindu rituals in Kerala. The bride may wear a saree as well as an Emirati abaya and shayla headdress. The floral decorations feature local Kerala flowers as well as the UAE's national flower, the ghaf tree. The cuisine is a mix of Kerala and Emirati specialties. The coming together of two wedding cultures makes the ceremony extra special.

The new family adjusts and makes compromises when it comes to lifestyle and social values. The Kerala bride relocates to the UAE and adopts local Emirati customs while retaining her Indian identity. Her dress, social interactions, career options etc. gradually adapt to her new environment, while keeping her individuality. The Emirati groom also respects his wife's cultural background and gives her the space to follow her own customs. There is a healthy, open-minded approach from both sides.

The children from these mixed families get the best of both worlds. They pick up their mother's tongue Malayalam and their father's Arabic language. They wear traditional dresses from both cultures. Their tastes in music, arts, and food reflect the diverse influence of having parents from two different countries. They seamlessly juggle and embrace the multi-cultural environment at home.

UAE-Kerala marriages have paved the way for vibrant cross-cultural families where there is love, respect, and openness to integrating beautiful traditions. The bonds between the UAE and Kerala, and the shared values between the two societies, enable these unions to bloom and thrive in harmony. These mixed families represent the evolving globalized world we live in today.